Written questions by MacCleary.

Whether the use RAF A400M Atlas aircraft to provide air-to-air refuelling to Chinook H-47(ER) aircraft would require compensation payments to the Airtanker Consortium.

The Chinook H‑47(ER) is being procured with full air‑to‑air refuelling (AAR) receiver capability. On current plans, refuelling support will be provided by the U.S. KC‑130. Concerning compensation payments to the AirTanker Consortium, whilst the AirTanker contract does not specifically exclude any type of receiver aircraft, it is restricted to AAR for Fixed Wing aircraft. Therefore, AAR for Rotary Wing aircraft is exempt from exclusivity claims.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111024, what proportion of the capability requirements have Ajax-family Capability Drop 3 vehicles been verified to fully comply with.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to Questions 111022, 111024 and 111025 on 12 February 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111025, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the capability requirements that Ajax-family Capability Drop 4 vehicles will fully comply with.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to Questions 111022, 111024 and 111025 on 12 February 2026.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111022, what proportion of the original capability requirements specified for the Ajax-family vehicles have been relaxed or amended due to an inability of the vehicles to meet the original requirements.

I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave to Questions 111022, 111024 and 111025 on 12 February 2026.

What estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of procurement programmes that were cancelled from (a) May 1997 to May 2010, (b) May 2010 to May 2015, (c) May 2015 to July 2024 and (d) July 2024 to present.

As would be expected of any responsible organisation, the Ministry of Defence regularly reviews its programmes and assets to determine how best to meet future threats including taking appropriate action to address changes.Prior to 1999-2000, the Department's spend on cancelled programmes over £100,000 were published in their Appropriation Accounts, before transitioning to Resource Accounts until 2023-24, where the current Annual Report and Accounts process began. These accounts are available until 2024-25.The threshold was changed to £250,000 in 2012-13 and then to £300,000 in 2015-16, which remains the current threshold, to reflect inflation.

How many vessels and of what type would be required to escort an aircraft carrier in a peer conflict.

The number and type of vessels required to escort an aircraft carrier will vary depending on the mission, threat, operating area, and the contribution of allies.

Pursuant to the Answer of 12 February 2026 to Question 111023 on Ajax Vehicles: Procurement, what were the nature and purpose of the modifications above the current production baseline.

Modifications to Ajax platforms above the current baseline cover rapid embodiment of design changes which are of demonstrable benefit to the Army. Examples include software enhancements and component reliability improvements. These modifications must be recorded as a concession until such time the design change is approved and the baseline is updated.

What exchanges of personnel with European navies are planned for 2026.

The Royal Navy maintains a range of personnel exchange and liaison arrangements with European partners through bilateral relationships and NATO activity, supporting interoperability and professional development. These arrangements are reviewed routinely.

What exchanges of personnel with European navies have taken place in the last 5 years.

The Royal Navy maintains a range of personnel exchange and liaison arrangements with European partners through bilateral relationships and NATO activity, supporting interoperability and professional development. These arrangements are reviewed routinely.

Whether he has made an assessment of the adequacy of 30 reserve service days to cover the relevant training and deployment reservists are expected to undertake.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 23 February 2026 to Question 112387 to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (James Cartlidge).

How many Quick Reaction Alert sorites were flown by the RAF in 2025.

The number of days in which Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon aircraft launched in 2025 is six.

What proportion of officer candidates are privately educated.

Officer training in the UK Armed Forces is accessible to any UK citizen who meets the academic, aptitude, physical and medical requirements, irrespective of the candidate’s social background or type of education. Of the intake to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Army) who are due to commission on 10 April 2026, 37% were independently educated. No other information in scope of these questions is held by the single Services.

What proportion of officers who pass the selection board are privately educated.

Officer training in the UK Armed Forces is accessible to any UK citizen who meets the academic, aptitude, physical and medical requirements, irrespective of the candidate’s social background or type of education. Of the intake to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (Army) who are due to commission on 10 April 2026, 37% were independently educated. No other information in scope of these questions is held by the single Services.

Whether elements of Project Lily be included in other programmes going forward.

Elements of Project Lily are being reviewed to determine whether any aspects can be incorporated into other programmes. It would not be appropriate to provide further detail at this stage, as doing so could prejudice the Department’s commercial interests and any future procurement activity.

If his Department will make an estimate of the cost of an “iron dome” air defence system for the UK.

Iron Dome is Israel's approach to Integrated Air and Missile Defence, and based upon the threat Israel faces, its geography and capability. Capable and effective Integrated Air and Missile Defence for the UK will be accomplished as part of a NATO endeavour. The Strategic Defence Review considered similar factors for the UK Homeland and announced up to £1 billion investment in air and missile defence of the UK.

Why Project Lily was cancelled.

Project Lily was cancelled following an internal review. Further detail cannot be provided as it could prejudice the Department's commercial interests and any future procurement activity.

Whether funding for training and equipment for the Strategic Reserve will be provided in the Defence Investment Plan.

The Strategic Defence Review (SDR) recommended reinvigorating the relationship with the Strategic Reserve, to be sustained through annual training and volunteer roles. The Defence Investment Plan (DIP) will outline how we will invest to transform defence in line with the SDR vision. We are working flat out to complete the DIP and publish shortly.

What is the status of the Type 32 project.

All platform choice decisions will be made as part of the Defence Investment Plan.

What steps he is taking to help protect London from potential hypersonic missile attacks.

The Ministry of Defence does not comment on specific capabilities, as doing so could provide an operational advantage to those who may seek to harm the UK. The UK has a suite of capabilities to tackle the missile threat which is advancing, proliferating and converging. The UK has announced an investment of up to £1 billion to enhance our integrated air and missile defence with a focus on homeland defence. The UK’s nuclear deterrent exists to deter the most extreme threats to the UK and our Allies. Its purpose is to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.

With reference to his Department's press release entitled Jobs boost as UK set to build military aircraft for United States for first time in over fifty years, published on 18 September 2025, whether he can confirm that a firm contract has been placed with UK industry to convert two Boeing 737 aircraft to E-7 Wedgetail configuration for the end-use of the US Air Force.

STS Aviation based at Birmingham airport are under contract from Boeing to undertake initial conversion of the first two USAF E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.